Real-time trip purpose prediction using online location-based search and discovery services

The use of smartphone technology is increasingly considered a state-of-the-art practice in travel data collection. Researchers have investigated various methods to automatically predict trip characteristics based upon locational and other smartphone sensing data. Of the trip characteristics being studied, trip purpose prediction has received relatively less attention. This research develops trip purpose prediction models based upon online location-based search and discovery services (specifically, Google Places API) and a limited set of trip data that are usually available upon the completion of the trip. The models have the potential to be integrated with smartphone technology to produce real-time trip purpose prediction. We use a recent, large-scale travel behavior survey that is augmented by downloaded Google Places information on each trip destination to develop and validate the models. Two statistical and machine learning prediction approaches are used, including nested logit and random forest methods. Both sets of models show that Google Places information is a useful predictor of trip purpose in situations where activity- and person-related information is uncollectable, missing, or unreliable. Even when activity- and person-related information is available, incorporating Google Places information provides incremental improvements in trip purpose prediction.     

Comparing travel mode and trip chain choices between holidays and weekdays

Choices of travel mode and trip chain as well as their interplays have long drawn the interests of researchers. However, few studies have examined the differences in the travel behaviors between holidays and weekdays. This paper compares the choice of travel mode and trip chain between holidays and weekdays tours using travel survey data from Beijing, China. Nested Logit (NL) models with alternative nesting structures are estimated to analyze the decision process of travelers. Results show that there are at least three differences between commuting-based tours on weekdays and non-commuting tours on holidays. First, the decision structures in weekday and holiday tours are opposite. In weekday tours people prefer to decide on trip chain pattern prior to choosing travel mode, whereas in holiday tours travel mode is chosen first. Second, holiday tours show stronger dependency on cars than weekday tours. Third, travelers on holidays are more sensitive to changes in tour time than to the changes in tour cost, while commuters on weekdays are more sensitive to tour cost. Findings are helpful for improving travel activity modeling and designing differential transportation system management strategies for weekdays and holidays.     

Empirical approaches to combining revealed and stated preference data: Some recent developments with reference to urban mode choice

This paper replaces the nested logit ‘trick’ used in estimation of a modal choice model, when stated preference (SP) and revealed preference (RP) data are pooled, with an error component mixed logit model that can (i) relax the IID condition attached to subsets of alternatives in nested logit models, (ii) accommodate correlated observations, and (iii) reveal the relevant scale parameter for subsets of alternatives. Such a model can also incorporate state dependence between data types and preference heterogeneity on observed attributes. An example of choice among bus, train and car modes illustrates the difference in empirical evidence, especially elasticity outputs.     

A nested recursive logit model for route choice analysis

We propose a route choice model that relaxes the independence from irrelevant alternatives property of the logit model by allowing scale parameters to be link specific. Similar to the recursive logit (RL) model proposed by Fosgerau et al. (2013), the choice of path is modeled as a sequence of link choices and the model does not require any sampling of choice sets. Furthermore, the model can be consistently estimated and efficiently used for prediction.A key challenge lies in the computation of the value functions, i.e. the expected maximum utility from any position in the network to a destination. The value functions are the solution to a system of non-linear equations. We propose an iterative method with dynamic accuracy that allows to efficiently solve these systems.We report estimation results and a cross-validation study for a real network. The results show that the NRL model yields sensible parameter estimates and the fit is significantly better than the RL model. Moreover, the NRL model outperforms the RL model in terms of prediction.     

基于Nested Logit 模型的铁路旅客客运产品选择研究

通过成都-武汉既有线出行旅客的问卷调查,以及样本数据的归纳分析,对旅客客运产品选择行为特征进行描述.基于随机效用最大化理论,以乘车方式与客运产品作为选择肢,旅客主体、出行特性及列车服务特性的各项指标作为效用变量,构建了乘车方式位于上层、客运产品位于下层的Nested Logit 模型.模型的上下层参数标定结果表明,旅客的收入状况、出行目的、出行距离、列车票价及运行时间对其乘车方案选择具有显著影响,旅客的年龄、出行费用来源、收入状况、出行距离,以及列车票价、运行时间对其客运产品选择具有显著影响.模型能较为准确地反映铁路客运产品的实际需求,从而为其合理设计与调整提供理论依据.     

拥堵收费对弹性出行的小汽车使用者出行方式选择影响研究

所有出行群体中,受拥堵收费政策影响最大的是弹性出行的小汽车使用者。引入相对拥堵费作为政策变量,表征拥堵收费政策对该群体出行方式选择的影响,并基于Nested Logit模型,建立了拥堵收费影响下的出行者出行方式选择模型。利用对南京新街口商圈区域弹性出行的小汽车使用者进行的RP和SP调查所获得的数据,对模型参数进行了估计,结果显示:女性、低收入者、IC卡持有者、短途和高频出行者在面对拥堵收费政策时,更容易放弃小汽车而转向公共交通出行。利用弹性理论,分析了不同拥堵费水平下出行者对出行时间和拥堵收费政策的弹性,结果发现:①出行时间的弹性反映了出行方式的总体服务水平;②出行者在出行方式选择时对拥堵收费变得“显著”敏感的临界值为13.25元/次。      

A nested logit model of mode choice for inland movement of export shipments: A case study of containerised export cargo from India

Predominance of containerised mode of transport for export of general cargo has influenced the mode choices on the inland segment. Prior to containerisation the general cargo for export moved to ports invariably on road in break bulk form. Growth of containerisation led to development of inland terminals enabling an exporter to obtain export clearance at the inland points. This process facilitated an exporter to move cargo either in break bulk or in containerised form, and as inland terminals facilitated aggregation an exporter could move cargo either by road or rail. Thus containerisation increased the inland transport options for an exporter from one to three. The paper develops discrete choice models in the Indian context for inland movement of containerised export cargo. Primary data was collected from 124 export firms through a structured questionnaire. This data is supplemented with data from transport firms and terminal operators. Using the above data, a nested logit model with rail container and road truck in one branch was found to predict the mode choice behaviour best. Amongst the transport attributes, total cost and total transit time were found to be influencing the mode choices significantly. The study however did not find the effect of reliability and loss and damage significant. In addition, the model also predicts that non transport attributes - like the percentage of letters of credit that materialise with inland way bills and the value of export benefits that materialise after export - are important in the mode choice decision.     

Bayesian network-based formulation and analysis for toll road utilization supported by traffic information provision

Congestion pricing has been proposed and investigated as an effective means of optimizing traffic assignment, alleviating congestion, and enhancing traffic operation efficiencies. Meanwhile, advanced traffic information dissemination systems, such as Advanced Traveler Information System (ATIS), have been developed and deployed to provide real-time, accurate, and complete network-wide traffic information to facilitate travelers’ trip plans and routing selections. Recent advances in ATIS technologies, especially telecommunication technology, allow dynamic, personalized, and multimodal traffic information to be disseminated and impact travelers’ choices of departure times, alternative routes, and travel modes in the context of congestion pricing. However, few studies were conducted to determine the impact of traffic information dissemination on toll road utilizations. In this study, the effects of the provisions of traffic information on toll road usage are investigated and analyzed based on a stated preference survey conducted in Texas. A Bayesian Network (BN)-based approach is developed to discover travelers’ opinions and preferences for toll road utilization supported by network-wide traffic information provisions. The probabilistic interdependencies among various attributes, including routing choice, departure time, traffic information dissemination mode, content, coverage, commuter demographic information, and travel patterns, are identified and their impacts on toll road usage are quantified. The results indicate that the BN model performs reasonably well in travelers’ preference classifications for toll road utilization and knowledge extraction. The BN Most Probable Explanation (MPE) measurement, probability inference and variable influence analysis results illustrate travelers using highway advisory radio and internet as their primary mode of receiving traffic information are more likely to comply with routing recommendations and use toll roads. Traffic information regarding congested roads, road hazard warnings, and accident locations is of great interest to travelers, who tend to acquire such information and use toll roads more frequently. Travel time formation for home-based trips can considerably enhance travelers’ preferences for toll road usage. Female travelers tend to seek traffic information and utilize toll roads more frequently. As expected, the information provided at both pre-trip and en-route stages can positively influence travelers’ preferences for toll road usage. The proposed methodology and research findings advance our previous study and provide insight into travelers’ behavioral tendencies concerning toll road utilization in support of traffic information dissemination.     

轨道交通接驳方式选择行为分析——以上海松江大学城为例

基于上海松江大学城站轨道衔接方式选择行为的调查数据,对城市轨道交通接驳方式选择行为进行研究,从大学城学生个体角度分析学生群体的出行特征和规律,合理有效地调整交通结构,进而优化城市轨道交通服务水平,增加城市轨道交通的吸引力.基于Nested Logit非集计模型,建立两种不同分组选择支的轨道交通衔接方式选择模型进行参数标定,对比模型的优比度、分支相关系数和命中率,择优选择精度较高的模型.根据建模结果,在调查数据分析的基础上,对不同接驳方式的分担率进行预测.预测结果为:公共汽车的分担率最高,为59.9％,即公共汽车仍为学生选择的主要接驳方式,出租车的分担率次之,自行车分担率最低.最后,对NL模型进行应用.研究发现,对于学生群体而言,提高出租车的起步价对出租车的分担率并无较大影响.综合比较性别、接驳时间、接驳费用等影响因素,发现性别对学生接驳方式的选择有较大影响.     

A note on the consistent aggregation of nested logit demand functions

The present paper derives a set of rules allowing for the consistent aggregation of nested logit travel demand functions across origin and destination zones. Presented aggregation rules are derived for the case when the mode choice is performed conditional on destination choice. The derivation is based on the principles of consistency between aggregate and disaggregate travel demand models introduced by Sweet as well as upon the sampling theory.